Raising kids isn’t a walk in the park, but it becomes increasingly difficult when your mind and body are not prepared for it. To ensure you’re in the best shape to take care of these children, follow these pointers:
1. Don’t Underestimate Chronic Pain
Do you feel numbness on your limbs? Do you sometimes struggle to hold an object, let alone your child? Do you feel a sharp, stinging pain in different parts of your body? If these have been going on for a while, you might already be suffering from chronic pain.
Contrary to popular belief, chronic pain knows no age. However, over 40% of younger adults are less likely to receive treatment, according to a 2005 study in the Clinical Journal of Pain. It could be because of the wrong idea that only older ones develop it.
While you can take medications to deal with it, often, these drugs provide only relief. To know the root cause of the issue, work with a neuropathy doctor.
2. Get As Much Sleep as You Can
For many parents, sleep is for the weak, especially if they are tending to a newborn. Based on a German study, you could be sleep deprived for at least six years, although the duration and quality improved.
On average, parents sleep between five and six hours and lose nearly two hours of snooze when a newborn is around. Sleep deprivation can affect not only physical but also mental health. It can reduce focus, which can affect work performance and even increase the risk of accidents or injuries.
How can you get sleep, particularly if you’re dealing with small children?
- Train babies to sleep longer. By four months, they can already snooze for up to 8 hours.
- Sleep when the baby is asleep.
- Share a more positive message about sleeping to toddlers. This way, they can associate it with a more positive experience.
- Get rid of tech, such as mobile devices, in the room. These can emit blue light that can disrupt the circadian rhythm or body clock.
3. Keep Your Body Strong
Do you know that your physical activity can also influence your child’s health? It can even begin before conception! Meanwhile, a 2010 research revealed that children spent more hours watching television if their parents did the same.
Keeping your body strong and fit also provides you with energy so you can run after your kids and play with them. You are less likely to get sick, which you can, unfortunately, pass on to your children or force you to spend less time with them.
Health experts recommend only 150 minutes a week if you’re doing moderate exercises, such as brisk walking, or 75 minutes weekly for high-intensity ones like running. You can also incorporate natural movements daily when you play with your kids, garden, cook, or walk up and down the stairs.
Despite the many books available, parents still don’t have the official manual. You usually learn as you go. However, you can better prepare for the challenges when your body is in excellent condition to raise children.
